9.27am – The conference starts in three minutes. The audience seem upbeat.
9.28am – The atmosphere dips noticeably.
9.30am – The first presenter takes to the stage, greeted with lukewarm applause.
What happened at 9.28am?
The background music changed, and a new song came on.
The song? Everybody Hurts by R.E.M.
It’s a great song, but a terrible choice for that moment.
The excited chatter in the room faded.
The momentum that had built over the past 15 minutes, completely reversed.
And the room temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.
Music can shape energy – positively and negatively.
A lot of effort goes into making your event a success, so don’t leave this detail to chance.
Think carefully about the atmosphere you are trying to create and choose your background music wisely.
In particular, what song will play as the event begins?
And have a few equally uplifting tracks on standby in case the start is delayed.
You want the first presenter to take to the stage with a tailwind, not a headwind.
The music may seem like a minor detail, but it can have a major impact.
Great events don’t just happen – they’re designed.
The playlist you choose is part of that design.
Pick music that lifts energy, sets the tone, and sends speakers to the stage with momentum.
The right soundtrack can turn a good start into a great one.
And remember, never forget the power of background music.
For more helpful presentation tips, check out the following article on Pogshams Presentations – ever heard of them? If not, click below to find out more…
